Kate Middleton's dress - Photo 1 - Pictures - CBS News Kate Middleton's dress The royal wedding in photos Credit: Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images "Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen's work. Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress," the palace said in a statement regarding Kate Middleton's wedding dress. Here she arrives for her royal wedding to Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images "Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing," the palace said in a statement regarding Kate Middleton's wedding dress. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Kate Middleton's dress is made from ivory and white satin gazar, and the bodice and skirt feature hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace. The train measures almost nine feet long. Here she arrives for her royal wedding to Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London.

More royal wedding photographs Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Catherine Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Getty Kate Middleton's veil is made of layers of soft ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers. It is held in place by a Cartier "halo" tiara, lent to Middleton by Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now the Queen) by her mother on her 18th birthday. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework. Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create the dress' unique design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

More royal wedding photographs Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The bride's earrings, diamond-set stylized oak leaves with a pear-shaped diamond set drop and a pave set diamond acorn suspended from the center, are by Robinson Pelham and were inspired by the Middleton family's new coat of arms. The earrings, which were made to match the tiara, were a personal gift to Middleton from her parents for her wedding day. More royal wedding photographs Credit: YouTube Catherine Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey. More royal wedding photographs Credit: WPA Pool Prince William takes the hand of his bride Catherine Middleton, now to be known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, followed by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton as they walk down the aisle inside Westminster Abbey. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Getty Images/AP Kate Middleton has her dress adjusted as she arrives with her father Michael at Westminster Abbey before her marriage to Britain's Prince William in central London April 29, 2011.

More royal wedding photographs Credit: Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images Catherine Middleton arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, turns back as she leaves the balcony of Buckingham Palace London after after her wedding to Britain's Prince William, on April 29, 2011. More royal wedding photographs Credit: LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Kate Middleton arrives with her father Michael (unseen) at the Westminster Abbey prior to her wedding with Prince William in London on April 29, 2011. More royal wedding photographs Credit: DAVID JONES/AFP/Getty Kate Middleton arrives for her royal wedding to Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Matthew Loyd/Getty Images Kate Middleton, with her father, Michael Middleton, waves as she arrives for her royal wedding to Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London.

More royal wedding photographs Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Kate Middleton arrives for her royal wedding to Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. Her gown is a design by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen's fashion house. More royal wedding photographs Credit: Matthew Loyd/Getty Images Kate Middleton arrives for her royal wedding to Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. More royal wedding photographs Credit: YouTube Prince William speaks to his bride, Kate Middleton, as she holds the hand of her father, Michael Middleton, at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William speaks to his bride, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. More royal wedding photographs Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton during their wedding service in Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London. More royal wedding photographs Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton during their wedding service in Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London.

Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Designer Sarah Burton Gushes on Gown - Us Weekly By Madeline Boardman Sarah Burton designed Kate Middleton's famous wedding dress. Credit: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images; Inset: David M. Benett/Getty Images Better late than never! More than three years after Kate Middleton married Prince William in a beautiful Alexander McQueen wedding dress, the designer behind the gown, Sarah Burton, is finally speaking about the experience. "I know we live in a culture obsessed with fame, but I happen to believe privacy is a virtue, and the relationship I have with my clients is private," Burton, 40, explained to the New York Times' T Magazine . "Some people like to think I've been too shy or that I'm afraid to speak up about the happy experience I had creating the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, but I can tell you that is nonsense. I have never been a shrinking violet or a person who is ruled by fear." PHOTOS: Celebs at the Royal Wedding Burton went on to discuss said "happy experience," giving details on all of the work that went into creating Middleton's now-iconic gown.

On that momentous day in April 2011, Middleton, now 32, walked down the aisle in the long-sleeved V-neck confection with a stunning train and traditional lace veil. PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's Stunning Royal Style "I loved making the dress, I loved adapting my ideas to suit the person and the occasion, and we put our hearts into it," she said. "I respect the intimate nature of that lovely project and I respect the friendships that were forged during it… an instinctive, intelligent, imaginative young woman's wish for a beautiful wedding dress — or any kind of dress — is the most natural thing in the world. I was honored to pick up the challenge and always will be." Kate Middleton's bridal dress designed by Sarah Burton - BBC News BBC News Kate Middleton's bridal dress designed by Sarah Burton 29 April 2011 Close share panel Media captionThe dress details a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock to represent each nation of the UK After weeks of speculation Kate Middleton's very British wedding dress has been revealed. Designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, it has a lace appliqué bodice and skirt, and veil.

The bride wore her hair down, with a tiara. Ms Burton said creating the royal wedding dress had been the "experience of a lifetime". Prince William wore the uniform of colonel of the Irish Guards, as well as his Royal Air Force wings. The lace on the bride's dress details a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock, and was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. The bridal train measures 2m 70cm, and along with the lace, all other fabrics used in the creation of the dress were sourced from and supplied by British companies. Kate Middleton is the perfect Grace Kelly princess bride What are they saying about the dress? The lace motifs were pinned, "framed up" and applied with stab stitching every 2mm to 3mm around each lace motif. Workers washed their hands every 30 minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and the needles were renewed every three hours, to keep them sharp and clean. The veil was held in place by a Cartier "halo" tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by the Queen. Parents' gift The bride's earrings were a wedding day gift from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

The earrings were the bride's "something new". For her "something blue", a blue ribbon was sewn into the interior of her dress, while her "something old" was the traditional Carrickmacross craftsmanship used to create the bridal gown. Made by Cartier in 1936, the tiara was purchased by the Queen's father, the Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. Image caption The designer said she enjoyed every moment of making the royal gown The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now the Queen) by her mother on her 18th birthday. The bride's bouquet was a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. It was designed by Shane Connolly. Maid of Honour Philippa Middleton's dress was also designed and created by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. A heavy, ivory satin-based crepe, it had a a cowl front with the same button detail and lace trims as the bride's dress.

The four young bridesmaids' dresses were designed by childrenswear designer Nicki Macfarlane and hand-made by Ms Macfarlane and her daughter Charlotte Macfarlane at their homes in Wiltshire and Kent. The mother-of-the bride Carole Middleton wore a sky blue silk dress with short pleated sleeves and pleated pockets by Catherine Walker - a favourite designer of Princess Diana. Diana favourite Over that Mrs Middleton had a sky-blue wool crepe coatdress. Her hat was by Berkshire-based Jane Corbett. The groom's stepmother, the Duchess of Cornwall, wore a champagne silk dress with matching duck egg blue and champagne hand-embroidered coat, both by the designer Anna Valentine. Image caption The mother-of-the-bride Carole Middleton wore blue Sarah Burton - who made the billowing red and black poppy dress Michelle Obama wore for a state dinner and the wedding dress Sara Buys wore for her wedding to Tom Parker-Bowles - had long been the hotly-tipped favourite for the role of royal wedding dress designer. She said she was incredibly honoured to be asked to design the historic dress, saying she had "enjoyed every moment of it" and the bride had looked "stunning".

"I personally am very grateful and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work on this project, and I wish TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge every good wish for the future," she said. She also designed the bride's evening dress for the black tie event at Buckingham Palace - a strapless white satin gazar evening gown with diamante around the waist and a white angora bolero cardigan. The designer joined Alexander McQueen's studio in 1996 as an intern, working alongside him on his collections for 12 years before he took his own life in February 2010. She was named creative director of the Alexander McQueen label the following May. Image caption Sarah Burton also designed the bride's evening dress Guests at Westminster Abbey included David Cameron, in a morning suit, along with his wife, Samantha, who did not wear a hat. Mrs Cameron wore a £495 Burberry London teal knee-length dress, £75 Aldo shoes, and an orange shawl. Victoria Beckham, who attended with her husband, ex-England football captain David, wore a midnight blue Philip Treacy hat along with a dark blue dress, one of her own designs.

Beckham, with a 1920s-style slicked-back hairstyle, wore a Ralph Lauren morning suit and carried a top hat. Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Princess Michael of Kent, Queen Anna-Marie of Greece and Princess Mathilde of Belgium also wore creations by Irish milliner Treacy. The gold for Miss Middleton's ring was given to Prince William by the Queen shortly after the engagement was announced. It had been made by Llandudno-based jeweller Wartski, Clarence House said. The prince, who was made a colonel of the Irish Guards in February, also wore Royal Air Force wings, in a nod to his job as an RAF search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. His best man, Prince Harry, wore a Blues and Royals officer's uniform, while their father, Prince Charles, wore the Royal Navy number one dress (ceremonial). He has held the rank of Admiral of the Royal Navy since 2006. Royal Wedding 2011: Kate Middleton marries Prince William in dress designed by McQueen's Sarah Burton | Daily Mail Online comments For five months, the world had waited for this moment.

And when Kate Middleton stepped out in front of her admiring public to unveil her ivory and satin Alexander McQueen gown at one minute past 11am yesterday, there were gasps of delight around the globe. Observers felt there was a timeless quality to Kate’s dress, compared to the ‘of the moment’ designs worn by Diana Spencer and Sarah Ferguson. Classic style: HRH Duchess of Cambridge emerges from Westminster Abbey, with her new husband Prince William. Her Alexander McQueen couture dress took its style lead from the Fifties Breathtaking: Catherine's feminine dress was understated yet show-stopping The 9ft train flowed from a skirt echoing an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats The ‘something new’ was Kate’s earrings – diamond-set oak leaves with a pear-shaped drop and a diamond acorn, a gift from her parents based on the family’s new coat of arms. Each member of the Middleton family had a piece of jewellery created for them for the occasion, and Kate’s mother, Carole, was responsible for co-designing the earrings with bespoke jewellers Robinson Pelham.

RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share The ‘borrowed’ was the 1936 diamond Cartier Halo tiara from the Queen, and the bride had an unseen piece of blue ribbon sewn into the dress’s lining to satisfy tradition. Her veil was made of layers of soft ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, and fell to just below her waist. The public got their first tantalising glimpse of the dress as Kate left the Goring Hotel at 10.51am. The dress was made with Individual flowers hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle, with button detailing on the lace sleeves Ten minutes later they were treated to the full creation as Kate climbed from her car – bringing to an end one of the best-kept secrets in fashion history and catapulting the relatively obscure but much talked about designer Sarah Burton into the limelight. Kate’s shoes, barely seen beneath her full-length skirts, were also hand-crafted by the McQueen team, made from ivory duchesse satin embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace.

From fleeting glimpses, they appeared to be closed-toe court shoes with heels around two and a half inches high and a lace embroidery pattern to match the trim of the dress. Diana’s dress designer Elizabeth Emanuel – who has previously faced criticism for making the late princess’s wedding dress ‘too puffy’ – praised Kate’s ‘uncluttered’ choice. Mrs Emanuel said: ‘The whole thing worked very well. It was a very regal dress and, I thought, perfect because she looked like Kate. It was the Kate everyone loved, looking beautiful and elegant. ‘It’s very wearable and that style would fit so many different shapes. I’m sure it’s going to be a coveted look.’ The distinctive lace sleeves and bodice are now expected to be copied on the high street and by couture bridal designers around the world.

British bridal designer Suzanne Neville said: ‘I thought it was exactly what most people thought she was going to wear, but it was beautiful, absolutely stunning.’ Here comes the bride: Kate Middleton makes her way from the Goring hotel to Westminster Abbey Something borrowed: Catherine wore a diamond 'halo' tiara, lent to her by the Queen WHAT THE FASH PACK SAID Karl Lagerfed, Chanel: 'She is very elegant. The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. It almost reminds me of Elizabeth's wedding, the royal weddings in the Fifties. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty. I like the veil a lot.' Bruce Oldfield: 'Catherine needed the volume of the skirt, both to emphasise her tiny waist and to give the dress a sense of importance, I also liked the nod towards a bustle. It all helped towards an appropriately traditional gown.' Hubert de Givenchy: 'The veil is a little flat, but because she has such a lovely face, she can afford to wear it this way.

She is very pretty.' Christian Lacroix: 'I like the dress very much, simpler than expected: a combination just in between 1956 Grace Kelly and 1947 Queen Elizabeth dress. I love the modest veil with the Queen Mother's Thirties scroll tiara and balanced volume of the whole gown. She's radiant; she never was so beautiful.' Elie Saab: 'It was a very elegant dress, subtly refined and discreet, in keeping with her style. I would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and a longer train.' Sarah Burton won the greatest commission in fashion and the move will no doubt bolster her career and cement her status as McQueen's predecessor. Burton retained McQueen's essence but injected a dose of romance to the label. Burton said: 'I am delighted that the dress represents the best of British craftsmanship. 'Alexander McQueen's designs are all about bringing contrasts together to create startling and beautiful clothes and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework, with a modern structure and design we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day.

Catherine looked absolutely stunning today, and the team at Alexander McQueen are very proud of what we have created.' Celebrity bridal stylist Camilla Ridley Day hailed the dress the 'perfect choice for a princess.' Camilla said: 'She wears the dress, the dress doesn't wear her. 'It is totally fitting with her style and perfect for a princess. 'It is romantic and elegant, with long sleeves very suited to the Abbey.' Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld was equally impressed. He said:' Alexander McQueen's dresses are always very elegant. 'It's very pretty, and relatively classic, but that goes with the decor, with a little touch of the 1950s that recalls Marilyn Monroe or Queen Elizabeth's dress. Family affair: Catherine prepares to enter the abbey with her father Michael Middleton by her side Lady in waiting: Pippa Middleton, also wearing Alexander McQueen, takes hold of Catherine's train 'The lace is pretty, especially the embroidered veil and the tiara not too high, without too heavy a bun.

It's ravishing and the length of the train is perfect.' 'It's all elegant and chic — you don't need to be born a royal princess to be like that.' Despite rumours and rife speculation, Catherine insisted on keeping details of the dress under wraps until today to surprise her husband-to-be - who was one of the last in the world to see the stunning creation. Inspiration: Catherine's gown is similar to Grace Kelly's for her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 Designing woman: Sarah Burton puts the last-minute touches to ensure the dress looks perfect Suitably impressed, William - now known as the Duke of Cambridge - whispered 'you look beautiful' as she joined him at the altar. Marriage of skills: Mrs Burton said the gown brought together the best of British craftsmanship The bride decided not to use a make-up artist opting instead to do her own. Kate's favourite black liner is still there and more exaggerated above the eye, but this will make her eyes stand out even more in photographs. Beauty expert Elsa Mcalonan said: 'Fresh, glowing and natural.

The first glimpse of Kate Middleton's make-up behind the veil shows slightly heavier make-up that we've been used to - with more emphasis on the eyes than we are used to. 'It is not an understated look. We have been told that Kate has done her own make-up, but it looks like it's been done by a professional. 'She is definitely wearing blusher, which adds definition to her cheekbones. It looks like a soft, peachy pink. The lips are a soft rose. 'The hair, half up and half down, is a great compromise. Curled very softly at the back and falling into ringlets, her impressive glossy mane is still part of the look.' Catherine's posy ensured her hair and tiara received all the attention. The wired bouquet included sweet William, as well as myrtle, lily-of-the-valley and hyacinth. As tradition dictates for royal weddings, the bride's bouquet contains a sprig of myrtle from the original myrtle bush planted by Queen Victoria at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, in 1845. But it also poignantly contains a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen's wedding bouquet of 1947.

The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly, who was also responsible for creating the 'avenue of trees' in Westminster Abbey today. The bride chose her flowers for their significance to the Royal Family, the Middletons and the language of flowers. Sweet William means gallantry, lily-of-the-valley means return of happiness, hyacinth symbolises constancy of love, while myrtle is the emblem of marriage and love. There is also ivy for fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship and affection. Myrtle was carried by Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858, and was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride. Liz Jones on Kate's dress The veil was made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework Had the Archbishop trimmed his eyebrows? Would Victoria Beckham faint in the aisle from hunger? The suspense during the build-up was hard to bear. But, finally, we glimpsed the bride’s dress through the Rolls-Royce windows. Lace. Lots of it. Narrow sleeves. A plunging neckline.

Reminiscent of the demure gown worn by Grace Kelly, another commoner who landed a prince, in 1956. Kate’s hair was down and modern, in soft curls, tamed by a 1936 Cartier ‘Halo’ tiara, not a garland of flowers. She clutched her bouquet of myrtle and lily of the valley as if her life depended on it. Then the Great Unveiling as she alighted at the Abbey, and a collective gasp. Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, you excelled yourself. Extravagant folds of ivory and white satin silk that managed to be simple and dramatic at the same time. The train was modest, just like Kate, measuring just two metres and 70 centimetres. It formed a perfect scoop, like a teardrop. Unlike Diana, Kate was not swamped by her gown. Her personality could shine through. The skirt echoed an unfurling flower – a Dior trademark, which makes me wonder whether Burton now has her eye on the top job vacated by John Galliano – with white satin gazar arches and pleats.

The almost Victorian ivory satin bodice and the daringly padded, McQueen trademark hips made the waist appear smaller than it really is. The back was finished with 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons fastened by long, thin Rouleau loops. The underskirt was made of silk tulle trimmed with daisies made from Cluny lace, originally used on bedlinen in the 16th century. The shoes were also by McQueen. Kate did not stumble, so although we could barely see them we can be sure the slippers were not the trademark impossible McQueen ‘hooves’. Any gripes? The dress was a little too long at the front, when it should have been a few millimetres off the ground. The bride was heavily involved in the design and worked closely with Burton to ensure the design would be a combination of both tradition and modern Other detailing, though, was exquisite, and proudly made by British artisans, using British fabric where possible.

The hand-cut English lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace, while the lace design was appliquéd using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s and was ‘made by the rural poor for the rich and famous’. It’s a huge shame that such craft is now an anomaly. Sarah Burton had to search far and wide to conjure up a dress that is as home grown as possible, when in reality, no one makes clothes or even fabric here any more. Every single garment in the McQueen flagship store (and the label is of course entirely owned by the French) on Old Bond Street proclaims ‘made in Italy’. Perhaps now the world has seen what we can do, that shameful statistic might change. For Sarah Burton did our future queen proud. ‘It was the experience of a lifetime,’ Burton said yesterday. ‘An incredible honour to be asked.’ Most importantly, Burton put Kate first, rather than her own ego. The restraint was there in almost every stitch: she didn’t look medieval, or too fashionable, she merely looked, as Will whispered when he saw her, ‘absolutely beautiful’.

All in all, a perfect fashion match. I wonder if, for old times’ sake, Kate wore a pair of her trademark black opaque tights underneath. CLICK PLAY TO SEE VIDEO OF THE STUNNING DRESS... Designers React to Royal Wedding Dress – WWD PARIS — Designers around the world tuned into the watch the royal wedding, and discover Catherine Middleton’s dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. This story first appeared in the May 2, 2011 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today. Many cited likeness to bridal gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth and Grace Kelly, and remarked on its traditional allure. Broadcasting live on France 2 television, Karl Lagerfeld said: “She is very elegant. The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. It almost reminds me of (Queen) Elizabeth’s wedding, the royal weddings in the Fifties. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty. I like the veil a lot.” Here’s what other designers had to say: Carolina Herrera: “The dress was absolutely perfect for her. The important thing was that she looked as though she felt very comfortable and moved very well in it. The dress didn’t move.

I loved the long sleeves, the lace, the short veil with the little tiara and her hair. If I have to rate her from one to 10, I give her an 11. It was beyond.” Catherine Malandrino: “I thought it was great that she chose an iconic British name. I also like that they used the Royal School of Needlework for the lace. I felt the dress was simple, effortless and and regal.” Vera Wang: “This was great for Sarah Burton, and whether it was intentional or accidental, everything worked. It is amazing and wonderful for someone who does not usually do wedding dresses to show such restraint. The dress was cut beautifully, in a subdued way. I found the fitted lace bodice and the fairly large skirt, without tiers or technical draping, just right — a modern version of a tradition that will never be outdated. I would have preferred a closed neckline, however. To me, the veil, often an afterthought, is as important as the dress. Kate’s was perfect — not decorated, trimmed or gathered. And because the blusher had no volume, no wrinkles were over the face. It added mystery and allowed the bride to arrive covered and leave with her face framed.

I did not think she would go fashion-forward but rather to send a message far beyond fashion: [William and Kate] want to be taken seriously; they know they will become the King and Queen of England and are up to the job of embracing everything that comes with the monarchy. And with that, naturally, there had to be some pomp and circumstance — but it was all with great dignity and discipline, reflecting the British culture. Yet it was so romantic and seemed to reflect their love for, and future with, one another.” Rebecca Taylor: “Kate’s dress was beautiful, demure and youthful. Her veil was soft and pretty, but I would have liked to see more volume. The heirloom tiara added the perfect amount of sparkle fit for a modern day princess. Kate kept it traditional with her Cartier 1936 tiara as her ‘something old’ and Diana’s blue sapphire ring as her ‘something blue.’ She is lovely and he is a great prince, I wish them both good luck!” Monique Lhuillier: “I was beyond thrilled when I heard Sarah Burton had done the dress. She has really picked up the pieces and has resurged the house.

The selection of the designer also shows she takes risks and that’s terrific. The best accessory was the sparkle in her eyes. You could see the love between them in how they looked at eachother. Despite having two billion watching. It was still their moment.” Prabal Gurung: “I thought it was pretty and appropriate. A high-profile wedding like this is not the place for making a crazy fashion moment. It sounds like an oxymoron but it was a personal moment in a very public place. The dress clearly said she’s a modern girl and of this generation. It was not McQueen at its theatrical sense but McQueen in its quiet but beautiful sense. I loved the bustle and how her silk tulle veil was moving softly in the wind.” Jason Wu: “I thought Catherine’s dress looked stunning. The details were very well done and I loved the emphasis on craftsmanship and the use of British talent. Her choice to pay tribute to Alexander McQueen was both touching and exciting.” Isaac Mizrahi: “I loved the dress. I like plain things a lot right now so this was a winner. It moved beautifully and really flattered her figure. She looked gorgeous.” Diane von Furstenberg: “The dress was beautiful.

I think she is irresistible, she is so beautiful. I am happy it was McQueen. It was absolutely the right thing to do. They made [the dress] simple, so it wasn’t costumey but a beautiful evening gown. I was happy for Sarah, happy for the Met, and happy for McQueen. Lela Rose: “She looked beautiful and is beautiful, and the dress had nothing to fault. But I was a little disappointed that it was so traditional in the choice of lace, fabric, style and shape. That lace has been so done and used. It didn’t look modern to me. I expected more from Sarah Burton but the again it wasn’t Sarah Burton’s wedding dress. She really had to follow protocol and do what Kate wanted and I am sure the queen had input too.” Agnès b.: “Last night before nodding off to sleep, different wedding dresses went through my head and I settled on the one worn by the Princess Grace of Monaco, thinking that it could have been updated with perhaps a v-neck! And to my delight I find today that Catherine, the charming Duchess of Cambridge, has turned my nocturnal musings into the essence of elegance thanks to Sarah Burton.

I found all of the guests beautifully attired, and as for the hats! It is surely only in England that they are so diverse and are worn so well.” Chris Benz: “I did not know what to expect. She came out so fresh and elegant! I loved the length of the train and the fact that there was nothing over-the-top about the whole look. Her hair down was perfect, not too fuzzy. I loved the whole spirit of it — kept it from looking too old-fashioned. The deep V felt really special, kind of sexy bride. And I loved William, the bright red was charming and youthful in spirit.” Carolina Amato: “Of course I would have loved to see Kate wearing gloves on her wedding day but I wasn’t disappointed to see her choice of attire. I loved the exquisite lace on the bodice and sleeves and the neckline cut in a perfect V. It was a classic, lovely choice; it fit her beautifully and her happiness emanated from her entire body. She seemed very comfortable but poised — a perfect vision of loveliness.” Amy Smilovic, Tibi: “Kate looked supremely elegant and in keeping with her personal style that she has portrayed over the years.

I think her confidence in Sarah Burton’s design showed – and your wedding day is the day more than ever that you want to feel absolutely sure of your style. For me personally, I would have loved to have had the skirt exaggerated in the true McQueen style, but I get why the dress absolutely worked for Kate and she looked stunning and regal.” Nicole Miller: “The fit was amazing. It looked like it was second skin the way the lace layed so well. I was really impressed. It’s funny in Sarah Burton’s fall show for McQueen, she had five or six dresses at the end. I remember thinking, ‘What’s that about?’ The wedding must have been in the back of her mind.” Eddie Borgo: “The lace was perfect, and I especially loved the Cartier tiara — and to learn of its history.” Kara Ross: “Kate’s simple Victorian-style earrings and vintage Cartier tiara were the perfect complement to her elegant McQueen gown. As an avid vintage collector, I had particular appreciation for the ‘halo’ tiara – I felt it was a special way to honor both the Queen and tradition.” Tory Burch: “Kate looked stunning.

Choosing Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen reflects Kate’s modern aesthetic and style, but the handmade lace details and craftsmanship are a great nod to British tradition. The lace, the clean lines of the dress, Queen Elizabeth’s tiara — every detail was stunning.” Donna Karan: “The dress was extremely elegant. For me, it wasn’t so much about the dress though, it was all about her. She was the most beautiful bride in the world.” Francisco Costa: “Kate’s dress had a classic elegance with a modern edge. The superb detailing really characterized Sarah’s expert hand.” Cynthia Rowley: “I love it: McQueen for the Queen! The dress has really beautiful intricacies, but its silhouette is classic and restrained, and highlights Kate’s beauty rather than overshadowing it. With all of the anticipation, she was so smart to go with something so understated. I love the details that were attended to as well — she’s even holding Lily-of-the-Valley — a May flower.” Valentino: “I loved the dress..it was very simple and young even if an hint of Grace Kelly’s dress spoke of 1950s!

I loved the flounce on the back of the skirt and the little decoration all around the short veil. I loved the choice of the tiara: simple, pretty, very right for the dress and for her attitude..it was used almost as an hairpiece to keep the hair and the veil, not as a heavy decoration. Compared to the famous Diana’s dress, Diana’s was a dress of a fairytale princess.. still a dress everybody remembers.. Kate’s one is a very pretty, modern dress that will be copied everywhere but lacks that fairytale element. Today most of the new princesses are young, modern, non-royal women who have clear ideas, independence from stiff protocol.. they want to be themselves and not anymore a symbol of the crown.” Christian Lacroix: “I like the dress very much, simpler than expected: A combination just in between 1956 Grace Kelly and 1947 Queen Elizabeth dress. I love the modest veil with the Queen Mother’s Thirties scroll tiara and balanced volume of the whole gown. She’s radiant; She never was so beautiful. And Prince William’s red Irish uniform is gorgeous.” Hubert de Givenchy: “The dress is very simple and very nice.

The veil is a little flat, but because she has such a lovely face, she can afford to wear it this way. She is very pretty.” About choosing a dress from McQueen, whose founder committed suicide last year, De Givenchy said: “It’s a lovely thought, a nice tribute.” Oscar de la Renta: “She looked absolutely ravishing. She looked like a bride should look and she handled herself tremendously. And they look like a much loving couple. I am happy to see fresh blood coming into the family. It was a very traditional, beautiful dress which it needed to be for that kind of wedding. Most of all she devastated with her charm. Listen, she will wear anything and will look ravishing.” Peter Copping of Nina Ricci: “Very much in a royal tradition, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth’s — and a little bit Grace Kelly. She looks happy, radiant and natural.” Donatella Versace: “Kate’s dress was beautiful. She looked very regal.” Viktor & Rolf: “Kate’s dress was simply elegant. Her hair down was a beautiful and natural touch, and the tiara was stunning. She looked as at-ease as humanly possible and was radiant.

Our compliments.” Christian Cota: “I thought the fit of the bodice and the lace overlay were very well executed. Although I thought the lace could have looked a little more delicate and more see through. I was not a big fan of the veil — it could have been more dramatic and could have had more texture. I loved the hair and makeup — she looked beautiful and timeless. I did think the dress overall was a little to safe, I wish it had been a little more dramatic with a longer train. The shape and silhouette was very flattering on her; I just missed a bit of drama, especially because it was the wedding of the decade.” J. Crew’s head of bridal Tom Mora: “I liked the way the pleats flounced in the back of the dress almost as though they were flying. That three-dimensional bustle was reminiscent of the envol collection Christian Dior had done in 1948. I also liked the matte color of the dress. That could become a big trend for bridal. The slight hip shape that was built into the dress exaggerated her narrow waist nicely.” Elie Saab: “It was a very elegant dress, subtly refined and discreet, in keeping with her style.

I would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and a longer train.” Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of design at H&M: “Kate Middleton’s dress is beautiful. She looks absolutely stunning today at the royal wedding. The lace together with the long sleeves really showed the craftsmanship and hours of work that has gone into creating a dress like this. The dress suits Kate Middleton perfectly and Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen surely lived up to my expectations. I also think that the lovely flower bouquet will set the trend for many brides to be.” Mark Badgley of Badgley Mischka, speaking for himself and James Mischka: “James and I have goose bumps! The dress is perfection; and will stand the test of time. It is a classic Grace Kelly look. The skirt is divine. We love the hair down and the veil. The proportion is beautiful.” Narciso Rodriguez: “Catherine looked simply beautiful. Her timeless McQueen gown was exquisite, modern and elegant. It will inspire many brides.” Antonio Marras, Kenzo: “McQueen was a brilliant choice. The choice of the label and the style of the dress was a very clever mix between edgy fashion and tradition — all in a very British way.

You could see references to Grace Kelly or Queen Elizabeth’s dresses, but in a simpler, more modern way. I loved her hair down. It looked perfectly natural and noble. Truly royal.” Alexis Mabille: “Kate’s dress is a classic, very elegant and pure…. It reminds me of Princess Grace’s wedding dress in a modern version with deeper cleavage, the draping at the back in reference to McQueen.” Dennis Basso: “I love that dress. It epitimiizes the modern bride: covered, but still sexy with its tight bodice. The lace overlay and the covered-up look will certainly set a trend.” Ralph Rucci of Chado Ralph Rucci, who noted the dropped torso and panel construction of the skirt was especiallty beautiful: “I love it. I’m so glad she went with Sarah Burton, who is brilliant. The dress encompasses all the necessities of the protocal a future Queen should represent. It rings in a youthfulness that reflects the future monarchy.” Reed Krakoff: “I thought the dress was very modern. It bridged the gap between modern and youthful, and was respectful to the position she is in. It didn’t look to traditional or expected though. I particularly liked the neckline.

It was more youthful than I expected. The fact that the bodice was fitted and formfitting was great, because she is a beautiful young woman and it accentuated that.” Rachel Zoe: “Mc Queen was the perfect choice for Kate. It showed loyalty to a UK designer and also her love of fashion without being trendy. I am a huge fan of Sarah Burton; she is doing a brilliant job at the helm of McQueen and the dress was flawless.” Ippolita: “What can one say other than ‘tradition must prevail.’ Demure pearls and formal pins for the older generations and simple tiara and small diamond drop earrings, inspired by Kate’s new coat of arms, for the Princess of Cambridge. The simplicity was somewhat refreshing, but hey, it’s a party! Where are the jewels?” Molly Yestadt, Yestadt Millinery: “Kate’s veil was elegant and very clean, simply draped over the head.

A style like this really highlights the face and the tiara read as quite modern considering its heritage.” Linda Fargo, senior vice president, fashion office and store presentation, Bergdorf Goodman: “I applaud the choice of Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, given McQueen’s legacy as perhaps the best British designer in history and especially his mutual obsession with the Royals and Commonwealth heritage as themes. As a house of McQueen design goes, the gown was quite understated. It felt significant that Kate “wore” the gown instead of the gown wearing her. She wasn’t overwhelmed by the dress, or the occasion. Altogether, the look and her demeanor were pure grace. The relative refined simplicity of the gown and veil allowed her happiness and natural beauty to emerge as the most important elements.” Stephanie Solomon, vice president of fashion direction, Bloomingdale’s: “I was glued to the television since 5:30 this morning. It was such a big moment for fashion. What Kate is doing is bringing back elegance and good taste into a young market that’s been oversaturated with grunge and disco and military and hip hop. With Kate, there’s intelligence, poise and wit, which now seem more relevant that those other buzz words.

A young who has never dressed up before is going to start to dress up. The wedding will have a big impact on the McQueen business, and also on all designers who offer quality. But you know Kate has been a big deal for awhile. It’s not just happened with the wedding. The world has been watching her shop in high heels and dresses, not jeans and T-shirts.” Miriam Lahage, eBay’s European general manager of fashion: “By having the future Queen of England wear McQueen, it helps to legitimize the house under new leadership. Literally, it’s a changing of the guard that will propel the business forward and affirms the legacy of Lee’s vision and aesthetic. Kate Middleton’s history making turn in Alexander McQueen was a stunning mix of traditional fabrics and craftsmanship paired with a distinctly modern silhouette–elevated but understandable. Lee would be proud.” Nicole Fischelis, group vice president and fashion director at Macy’s Inc: ” I thought it was an aristocratic dress, she was a ravishing , beautiful. It was a classy flawless dress. She wore it well. Clothes don’t wear her. She is very in control. She wears classic clothes with a twist. People have been watching Sarah Burton for awhile.

She is a great talent. But I believe the wedding could bring new energy to the house of Alexander McQueen.” Fanya Chandler, national stylist director for Nordstrom: “Princess Catherine looked stunning in Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton. The gorgeous, feminine silhouette with modern details and chic styling suited the princess perfectly. We expect that many brides will take note on how to keep their wedding look elegant and timeless.” Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor, co-founders of Juicy Couture: “Of course, we were watching it….together. Sara Burton/House of McQueen was the perfect choice. Kate was flawless…A true fairytale and you know how we love fairytales.” Nanette Lepore: “I thought she looked beautiful. I liked her lacy long sleeves, but I didn’t like the veil. It wasn’t pretty. It was too limp. It looked pretty over her face, but it was too flat looking on her head. I was wishing it would be wispy and floaty. She looked very restrained which is good for this time of restraint we are in.

I wish it would have been the patchwork dress I designed for her.” Shaun Kearney, Creative Director of Cynthia Steffe: “The dress is very simple and very elegant, exactly what I thought she should wear. I like the modern yet vintage feel, and I love the hand needlework on the lace sleeves and the elegant folds on the bustle. Gorgeous and very Grace Kelly in feel. Bravo Sarah Burton! I feel like Kate definitely had strong opinions about what she wanted to wear, and that absolutely came through – total understated glamour!” Michelle Smith, Milly: “Fresh and youthfully elegant, Kate’s dress struck a perfect balance between modernity and tradition. The lace overlay and fitted bodice brought to mind Grace Kelly’s wedding dress, updated with Kate’s signature plunging v-neckline and McQueen bustle at the back waist. Kate’s sister Pippa was also lovely, in her discreetly sexy, bias-cut column dress with deep cowl neckline and cap sleeves. Prince Harry, watch out!” Cynthia Steffe: “I thought she looked stunning. It was such a gorgeous combination of very sexy, with the plunging neckline, and feminine, but still feeling traditional enough to be very appropriate.

The silhouette of the two of them leaving the cathedral was just storybook. The juliette veil with the pearl tiara was so tasteful and gorgeous _ totally stunning!

Question: Who was the female designer of Kate Middleton’s wedding dress for her marriage to Prince William?
Answer: Sarah Burton